Kwan’s Future Holds Another Gold-Medal Bid

The sting of second place in Nagano, Japan, now a week and several thousand miles behind her, Michelle Kwan returned home talking enthusiastically about making one more run at the missing Olympic gold medal in 2002.

“I would love to compete again in 2002,” she said Thursday at a news conference at a hotel near Los Angeles International Airport. “I’d be skating on American soil, Salt Lake City, where I could really feel that the people are behind me.

“When I was in Nagano, I could see the [American] flags waving, but I knew I wasn’t in America. I think it would be great to compete in 2002. My family would probably be there--my whole family. I think it’ll be a great experience. I’ll be 21 and just ready to go. Again.”

Kwan said she still has not seen a tape of last Friday’s long program in Nagano but has given some thought to her second-place finish behind fellow American Tara Lipinski.

“Yes, I had a little disappointment not receiving the gold medal,” she said. “But there was more good than bad in Nagano.

“Just the moment I had on the ice, how I skated as well as I did--those memories I’ll have forever. When I’m 100 years old and a grandparent, I’ll be able to say, ‘Look at my silver medal’ and be really proud of it.”

Next on her agenda: A rematch with Lipinski at the World Figure Skating Championships March 31-April 4 in Minneapolis.